I think my flamingo was better using the negative space than if I had tried to draw it as "the bird"

I practiced a gesture drawing of horses in the neighbouring field, and realized that after they moved on, and some of horses looked liked elongated sausages, that this would have been the perfect application for measuring a head, and then using that measurement as a tool to refine my gesture drawings. Not having done that, all I know is that my ‘sausage horses’ aren’t in proportion, but I don’t have the info to correct them. Great tip for using the tools at hand!

Measuring felt overwhelming at first but it removed complexity once completed as I could focus on the details and not worry about missing a part of feeder because of a measuring mistake. This took me close to an hour and not one bird showed up! Measuring feels easier with scenes that aren't as cluttered. I realized after watching the video that the bench example was straight forward, symmetrical, easy to understand to get the point across. Finding something in nature that works the same way isn't that easy. I walked around for a good 10 minutes before finding the proper sit spot+view combo. I'm learning so much. This is awesome.

This was really helpful. I found that I underestimated the relative sizing each time. It was helpful to move away from what I thought the subject should look like to paying more attention to what I was actually observing.

It was hard, really hard! But after a while, the drawing began to look like I wanted it to. I was drawing my dog, Lumi, the Leonburger, of whom I am obsessed with, (I’m using her name for this) and found she was harder to capture realistically. (I’m more of a cartoon artist) However, she is from a bit of a lazy breed, so that made her easier to sketch because she moved so slow. I don’t always use basic shapes to correct form, but I feel I should more, it is definitely rewarding. Lumi’s head is so large it’s almost disproportionate, which was hard to draw, but after I tweaked my drawing a lot, I found myself with a drawing I want to hang up.

I find that objects that dont move like plants, landscapes, seashells are much easier to measure proportions than moving object like animals and insects which can be much more challenging !

I was surprised to see how accurate the flamingo came out.  I liked using negative space.

I noticed it was difficult to measure a large subject and fit is on a smaller page in my journaling book.  It is important to measure correctly because it will throw off the balance of the sketch although you can adjust. Some of my subjects were more difficult I think, because of the size & depth.   A flat subject was easier.

It Was Difficult! Too hot to find any animals out so got gestures and proportions from soccer field — using human dimensions. Fortunately for me, a killdeer and some urban birds showed up on sign fixtures so I captured some wildlife too. I used videos for gesture inspiration of funny owls & also negative space around the theee.

I have been pleased with the measuring technique and have selected two places for my sit spots. I have a water fountain and the birds like to visit but are not sure about me.  So over a period of time I have been sketching them or the fountain when I was lacking birds.  I also starting taking photos when I can catch them so I could get the various angles and markings on the birds.  One afternoon I sat at the beach and was open to any and all subjects.  I think birds are a challenge because they move so much and in so many directions, children are tricky too.  I have found that proportion is relative to other subjects, so mostly I am just working on getting familiar so I can see and capture the different perspectives.  This is actually leading me into an idea for a composition with the fountain.  I just need to have more birds bathing and splashing.  I might get a journal page yet. Pat

I took a prior class that covered drawing proportions, and I hated that one too. I find it very difficult and don't really know what I am doing. But, of course, proportion is important, or drawings look lopsided and odd. I guess I will have to keep at it. I also was introduced to negative space not too long ago. It didn't make sense then, but this time, it made much more sense and is quite interesting. I tried a drawing in the field as Liz did in this lesson. Using the measuring technique, or at least trying to, I think that I got the proportion of the leaves more accurate. They became larger and larger the closer that they got to the ground. My first attempts were too small. Thank goodness for erasers. I was interested to observe the negative space between the leaves. But I didn't have much time to develop the drawing.

Did a sketch had time and finished it. Notes were added after to the photo. I need the practice

i i went to the Cornell Botanical Gardens after dinner, I had a long day at work so I decided I should have a relaxing night of sketching and took my camera with me also so I could sketch more thoroughly in the near future from a photograph. I have noticed a few things about the Globe Amaranth when I was sketching it that in my mind it was very delicate flower with so much detail , the flower looked like it was alone by it's self which drew me to sketch it and being a soft color of purple. The Iris was in a different part of the gardens and love them it was a beautiful purple with yellow; some are probably thinking my favorite color is Purple, not so but it's beautiful you can guess if you want on my favorite color......

I started drawing one and it was way off and I decided instead of getting frustrated I decided to draw a second one which came out better. I find that I am better at actually drawing positive space shapes than negative, but I am getting used to drawing negative space with practice

Away from the birds, I measured the proportion of my camera and its tele-lens. I used a pencil (I prefer ink though). The technique as a technique is very useful. It is very helpful for still-life and a subject that isn't moving much - not for fast birds. With time and practice the sight is being trained to measure without this technique; I rarely use it because I'm not that patient :/ - I'm here to train myself , I'll give it a try with future drawing. -

• I think that this technique was very useful to get better proportions.

I started with something that I thought I would succeed at.   In my backyard, on a hot day, I worked on drawing a pot on the end of a bench.   The bench is very weathered, with many subtle colors and two patches of lichen.   I tried.  I am not happy with the way the shadow cast by the pot came out.  I have not finished with this.  This is not an ambitious attempt.  The lines are simple.  I thought beginning with a subject with easy-to-measure proportions would be best.

I definitely like using my writing utensil as a measuring tool while drawing to help with proportion & accuracy. I had forgotten about using that & negative space in finding the correct proportion & accuracy in my drawings. Also I have a 6 inch ruler too. Yes, I have found that proportion is easier on landscapes, animals that aren’t moving quickly, and a single animal (than a group of animals), & some simple plants. I have noticed that my proportion was badly off which was leading to not be accurate with my drawings. Big improvement.

Enjoyed this exercise, proportions for me is something I will need to keep practicing and reminding myself to check-

It is easier to draw a stable animals and to the measurements. This technique has enabled me to make a better capture of the subject and manage my inconsistency about drawing a body. I like what Lis has done with the pencil and I have tried to repeat the same  with the animals. I found interesting to draw both the penguin and the owl. By watching Lisa's video, i have recalled the importance of negative space and I am planning to draw more flowers to get the habit of proportions.